CHUBBY TAVARES - JEALOUSY

Chubby Tavares is an old school singer, and he makes no attempt to escape that fact on his latest recording, Jealousy. Most fans of 1970s era R&B, disco and funk will remember Antone “Chubby” Tavares as one of the five brothers in the vocal group Tavares. Tavares had a nice run in the 1970s and early 80s with ballads such as their chart topping cover of Hall and Oates’ “She’s Gone,” dance numbers like “It Only Takes a Minute” and mid-tempo cuts such as “Never Had a Love Like This Before.” Tavares’ is probably best known to non R&B fans for their contribution to the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack. The brothers Tavares and the brothers Gibb both contributed versions of the song “More Than a Woman” to that soundtrack.

Tavares’ inclusion on the definitive disco album probably ended up being a curse when musical tastes changed and disco fell out of favor. The pace of the hits slowed in subsequent years, Tavares’ line up waxed and waned and Chubby Tavares had to deal with family tragedy. However, neither the group Tavares nor Chubby Tavares stopped performing. Jealousy is Chubby Tavares’ debut solo record and his first significant release since Tavares released Words and Music in 1983.

On Jealousy, Chubby Tavares reaches beyond his salad days as a hit making member of his family group to record an album of covers ranging from tunes from the Great American Songbook to pop tunes of artists such as The Eagles and Barry Gibb. Jealousy’s track list makes it clear that Tavares approached this project with a non-cynical view toward making a covers album. He didn’t employ modern production techniques or odd collaborations in an attempt to reach a younger demographic. He also didn’t fill Jealousy with a bunch of done to death covers. That means this record can actually have the benefit of introducing the unfamiliar to tunes that they probably never head before. Of course, everyone from Nat King Cole to The Four Tops has recorded a cut such as “It’s All In the Game,” but that’s the exception to the rule. Besides, its inclusion gives me a chance to note that the song’s writer, Charles Dawes, was vice-president under Calvin Coolidge.

The 10 tracks that comprise Jealousy are a good match for Tavares’ vocal style and range – which for a 67-year old is still pretty good. It shouldn’t be surprising that the stronger numbers on Jealousy are rock era cuts such as “I Can’t Tell You Why,” “Words of a Fool” and “Daddy’s Home.” Tavares bluesy version on Gibbs’ “Words of a Fool” is one of the record’s highlights.

Jealousy is an honest record and a labor of love from an artist who appears to be comfortable with his status in the record industry. Tavares appeals directly to music fans longing a time when music was more idealistic. Those old-school fans will hear a lot that they like on Jealousy, and if they can manage to get the CD in rotation at family outings they can even introduce these tunes to a new generation. This is a worthwhile effort from an artist who we’re glad to hear again. Recommended.

By Howard Dukes Originally posted at Soul Tracks.com HERE